TTF-1 protein expression in pleural malignant mesotheliomas and adenocarcinomas of the lung

Cancer Lett. 1998 Feb 13;124(1):73-8. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3835(97)00466-7.

Abstract

TTF-1 is a tissue-specific transcription factor expressed in the epithelial cells of thyroid and lung. This study investigates the immunohistochemical expression of TTF-1 in pleural malignant mesotheliomas (MM) and adenocarcinomas (AC) of the lung, respectively. For this purpose, 33 biopsy specimens of pulmonary AC and 24 specimens of MM were studied. TTF-1 immunoreactivity was identified in 19 of 33 cases of AC (57.5%) and in none of the 24 cases of MM. Positivity for TTF-1 was 100% specific and 57.5% sensitive for lung AC. Alternatively, negativity for TTF-1 was 57.5% specific and 100% sensitive for MM. These results suggest that TTF-1 can be favourably added to the immunohistochemical diagnostic panel for distinction between AC of the lung involving the pleura and pleural MM.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mesothelioma / metabolism*
  • Mesothelioma / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Pleural Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pleural Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • NKX2-1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
  • Transcription Factors